Professional community offers support for Ioka Theater restoration iin Exeter

Thursday

Jan 17, 2013 at 3:15 AM

EXETER — In their efforts to purchase and restore the Ioka Theater, the Exeter Theater Company (ETC) hit the new year running, assembling a team of highly regarded experts to advise them on the construction, design, and financial management of the theater.

“While we remain intensely focused on raising the money to buy the building by March 31,” said ETC board chair Tony Callendrello, “we know that we simultaneously need to be ready for the work that comes after the purchase. Having partners like these on our team provides us with access to considerable talent as we prepare for the start of construction.”

Nicole Martineau of TMS Architects in Portsmouth has stepped in to donate her time and talent, converting former Exeter Theater Company board chair John Merkle’s conceptual drawings into working floor plans. “The Ioka is an important part of my life both personally and professionally,” said Martineau, “There are no comparable feelings to describe rejuvenating an old building with soul. It is the outpouring of hard work and passion from the individuals and businesses that will leave their impression on the Ioka for all to enjoy.”

Eric Chinburg of Chinburg Builders in Newmarket is leading efforts to review the designs and estimates by various contractors and engineers with the goal of reducing renovation costs. “Our objective is to ensure that project costs and scope are estimated realistically and fairly, and investor’s funds are spent in the most cost effective way,” said Chinburg. “We hope that our work will bring the Ioka’s restoration, and its opening, closer to fruition.”

Bob Greene, CFO at Next Level Now in Portsmouth is creating cash flow projections and an updated operating budget based on preliminary financial information developed by Exeter Theater Company members Marcia Van Dyke, Emily Meehan, Roger Goun, and Trevor Bartlett.

Renee Carman of Mandeville Canyon Designs in Exeter examined the historic paint records and evidence and created color palettes for the main theater and lobby. “It has been a great honor and responsibility to work on such a notably historical landmark,” said Carman. “As a designer, the Ioka offers such a sensory-rich environment in which to create. It has been a genuine pleasure to listen carefully to the past, respect the present, and strive together to project a bright future.”

Common Man Restaurants owner, Alex Ray has invited the Exeter Theater Company board to tour The Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center, a similar sized venue as the Ioka which he operates in Plymouth. Ray toured the Ioka last March remarking, “It was a pleasure, what a place!”

Business plans and designs are available for download at exetertheater.org.

The Exeter Theater Company is in the midst of a bold capital campaign to raise $4.6 million to purchase, renovate, and open the historic Ioka Theater in downtown Exeter. The company has an option to purchase the building from its current owner, Kensington Exeter, LLC by March 31 for $600,000.

Donations to the Capital Campaign are fully tax-deductible.

The Exeter Theater Company was established in 2009 as a 501-c-3 nonprofit to preserve and operate the historic Ioka Theater as a vital center for arts and culture. exetertheater.org